Method and apparatus for transforming bendable material into predetermined and finished shapes



March 23, 1937. D H I 2,074,789

1 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSFORMING BENDABLE MATERIAL INTOPREDETERMINED AND FINISHED SHAPES Filed July 1, 1935 6 Sheets-Sheet 1:r\ 0 l l v A'r'nrs- D. K. HOPKINS March 23, 1937.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSFORMING BENDABLE MATERIAL INTOPREDETERMINED AND FINISHED SHAPES Filed July 1, 1935 6 Sheets-Sheet 2Arr-Iva.-

xfirz March 23, 1937. HOPKlNs 4 2,074,789 I 7 METHOD AND APPARATUS FORTRANSFORMING BENDABLE MATERIAL INTO PREDETERMINED AND FINISHED SHAPESFiled July 1, 1935 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Y-Qmmzv ATTYE March 23, 1937.HOPKlNs 7 2,074,789

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSFORMING BENDABLE MATERIAL INTOPREDETERMINED AND FINISHED SHAPES Filed July 1, 1935 Y 6 Sheets-Sheet 4j lnxz'zzzrcna.

March 23, 1937. HopKms 2,074,789 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSFORMINGBENDABLE MATERIAL INTO PREDETERMINED AND FINISHED SHAPES Filed July 1,1935 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 March 23, 1937. op s 2,074,789

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSFORMING BENDABLE MATERIAL INTOPREDETERMINED AND FINISHED SHAPES Filed July 1, 1955 6 Sheets-Sheet 6.BI'IYE.

Patented Mar. 23, 1937 UNITE STTES] METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR, TRANS-FOEMJING BENDABLE MATERIAL INTO PREDE'IERMINED AND FINISHED SHAPESDurward K. Hop, Peoria, llL, assignor to Keystone Steel & Wire Company,Peoria, 111., a corporation of Illinois 7 Application July 1, 1935,Serial No. 29,214

' 41 Claima, (a. 140-71) This invention has reference to a method andapparatus for transforming bendable lengths of material, such as wire,into predetermined and finished shapes, such for instance, as garment 5hangers having the usual trouser support or hanger body, coat arms, and.a hook by which thetsame may be suspended from a suitable suppcr i l'hatthe'invcntion may be more fully under- 10 stood, reference is had to theaccompanying drawings forming a part of this description, ii-

lustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which:

Fig. l is a side elevation of an apparatus em- .15 bodying my invention,suitable for the carrying out of my improved method, certain partsthereof being broken away, the dotted lines shown therein indicatingoperative positions assumed by certain of said forming mechanisms andasso- 2o ciated parts;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view in perspective,

partly in section, of one of the former elements and its support;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the apparatus ii- 25 lustrated in Fig. 1;;

Fig. 4 illustrates a finished wire shape in the form of a garment hangerproduced by employing my improved method and apparatus;

. Fig. 5 isa sectional view of welded portions of 3 the hanger taken onthe line -5 of Fig; 4;

' Fig. 6 is a fragmentary top plan view illustrating in enlarged detailthe welding gripping jaws and associated parts in open adjustmentpreparatory to a welding operation; 30 Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig.6' illustrating said mechanism in closed adjustment for a weldingoperation;

Fig. 9 is anenlarged sectional view oi a portion of the actuatingmechanism for one of the welding gripping jaws as the same would appearif taken on the line 88 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is an end elevation, partly in section, il-

lustrating the movable support and formers carand associated parts,having the formers illus trated in Fig; 9, shown in dotted line.association with said support and mandrel, as the same would 55, appearif taken on th? 9? f i Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional on the lineli--il of Fig.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged sectional view in elevation, taken on the linei2i2 of Fig. 3, certain parts broken away, illustrating the wire feedingrolls, wire loading and cutting chamber and associated parts, theassociated forming mandrel shown in dotted lines;

view taken Fig. 13 is a sectional view of the wire loading chamber takenon the line i3- -i3 of Fig. 12, one of the former elements shown indotted lines preparatory to acting upon a length of wire, and

a wire shown in dotted lines deposited on the forming mandrel, saidmandrel and associated To a full and complete understanding of the useof my improved method and apparatus, reierence will be first made to thewire shape to be produced. In Fig. 4 there is shown a wire shape infinished form as produced thereby, known as a garment hanger Theapparatus producessaid hanger shapes in inverted formas shown finishedin said figure and. comprises the base, or trouser support A, the sideor coat arms B and the hook portion C by which the hanger may besuspended from a suitable support The-neck portion D thereof is a weldedstructure, however, it is apparent that this securement may vary innature in accordance with the'wishes of the manufac-.

turer and demands of the trade and be therefore accomplished in manydifferent ways, such for instance, as by twisting of the wires.

In the drawings, i designates a bed frame-supported at'the ends by legsor standards 2. A

table 3 is siidably mounted on said bed frame i and is adap to bereciprocated towards and away from one end of said frame by means of apitman bar t, one end of whichis connected to the underneath forward endof said table at 5, the other end of said pitman having connection to adriving wheel t at l. The wheel 6 is mounted upon a shaft 8, the lattersupported by the bearing housings 9 from said bed frame I and being vany other suitable source.

Suitably secured to the forward end of said table 3 is an upright memberl2 braced thereon by the brace pieces I3 at the inner ends thereof andis adapted to travel reciprocally with the movement of said table 3. Theupper central portion of said member l2, see Fig. 9, is shown providedwith a substantial opening l4 of a size having width and depth to permitthe passage therethrough' of a finished wire shape, such as a garmenthanger shown in dotted lines in said figure. On the exterior face ofsaid member i2 in association with said opening I4 are fixedly mounted aseries of horizontally disposed shaper elements orformers comprisingduplicate formers l5, l5. one each located at the upper opposite ends ofsaid opening i4 and consisting of a U-shaped elongated member, see Fig.2, the forward end of which is flattened and pointed as at l6 and cutaway therefrom to provide a cam-like acting surface l1. l8, l9 designateother duplicate formers, one each located below the formers l5, l in,association. with said opening l4 consisting of a blade-like member andhaving its forward end diagonally-shaped as at' i9 to provide a cam-likeacting surface. 20, 29 designate a further duplicate set of formerssimilar to the formers l8, I8

and are adapted to be locatedonly a short distance therefrom in relationto the opening and each have a like forward acting surface 2|. Theformers i8, i3 and 20, 20 are substantial duplicates of each other,however, their respective lengths are slightlyv less than the formersl5, l5 for the reason thatv they perform their respective functionssubsequent to the functions of the longer formers I5, I! which areinitially acting formers. 22, 22 designate a further duplicate set offormers similar in length to the formers 29, 20, however, their forwardends are shown to have an arcuately. shaped acting surface 23. bestshown in Figs. 3 and 22. Said formers 22, 22 are preferably adapted tobe connected to a companion former 20, 23 either by being made integraltherewith or by welding and disposed substantially at the angles shownin Fig. 9, whereby the forward ends of the arcuately shaped'actingsurtened and pointed as at 25 and cut away therefrom to provide acam-like acting surface 25, best seen in Figs. 1, 6'and 7, however shownin Figs.

3, 9, 22, 23 and 24. 21 designates a single former, see Figs. 3, 9 and16, likewise associated with the opening l4 and located preferablymedially of the formers I5, l5 on'said'member I2. Said former 21 ispreferably of the same length as the formers l5, I5, see Fig. 3, and theforward acting end thereof is diagonally shaped to provide the camlikesurface 28, see Fig. 18.

Across the forward end of the bed frame I of said apparatus, an uprightplate member or support 29 is secured thereto by suitable fasteningmeans 30. 3| designates oppositely disposed braceswhereby said platemember 29 is reinshaped openings located therein in axial alignment withsaid series of shaper elements or formsupport 29 having acontourrepresenting thesubstantial outline configuration to be given tothe article to be made, in this case, a garment hanger, and the mandrelis so disposed on said member 29 and in relation to the openingstherein, just referred to, that certain of the reciprocally actingshaper elements or formers will cooperate with certain of the outlineedges of said mandrel, see Fig. 10.

Referring now to Figs. 3, and 12, a wire feeding, cutting and loadingdevice is shown which is supported across the top of the plate member 29by means of the-tubular supports 33. The device comprises a rotatablymounted barrel or chamber 34, the periphery of which is bored to providespaced grooves or holes 35 throughout the length thereof, the ends beingprovided with extended shaft portions 36 and 31, the former receivedwithin a journal mounting 38 and the latter within a similar mounting39. Referring more particularly to Fig. 10, the barrel 34 is shown to bereduced in diameter whereby to accommodate therebeneath the reciprocaltravel of the shaper elements or formers l5, l5 and 21. A tubularhousing 40 is encased about the barrel or chamber 34 whereby to normallyretain the lengths of wires received within the holes therein. Referringto Figs. 10, 12 and- 13, the housing 40 is likewise cut away to registerwith the reduced diameter portions of the barrel or chamber 34 so as topermit the passage of the shaper elements or formers l5, l5 and 21.Referring to Figs. 11 and 13, the relative positions of the housing 40and mandrel 32 are shown, also, the manner in which the housing 40 isprovided with a slotted opening 4| overlying said mandrel 32 wherebylengths of wire may be passed through said opening" from said barrel anddeposited on the mandrel, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 13.

Reference being had to Fig. 12, the inner end of the journal mounting 33has suitably secured thereto a hardened steel circular facing 42 whichcooperates with a similar facing 43 provided on the barrel 34 whichtogether function to sever the wire into lengths as it is passed throughthe opening 44 by means of the feeding wheels 45 from a source of wiresupply designated 43. The feeding wheels are preferably adapted tofrictionally engage the wire to feed it to the barrel 34, the wheelsbeing rotated by the driving shaft 41 from any suitable source of power,not shown. The barrel 34 is adapted to be intermittently rotated in thedirection of the arrow illustrated in Fig. 13 by means of a ratchetmechanism consist- .ing of a toothed wheel 41' keyed to the shaftportion 31 of said barrel, which is actuated by the pivoted dog member48, see Fig. 14, carried by a rocking collar 49 loosely mounted on saidshaft portion 31. .A keeper 50 retains the collar 49 on the shaft bymeans of the set screw 5|. The collar 49 is supplied with 9. dependingear portion 52 to which is pivotally attached a connecting rod 53, seeFigs. 3 and 14,the other end of which is connected at 54 to the pulleydriving wheel l0, whereby in each revolution of said wheel Ill, the

barrel 34 is partially rotated to register one of the holes 35' thereinwith theslotted opening ll of said housing 40 and at the same timeregister one of the holes 35 with the wirefeed opening 44 in'the journalmounting 38.

Referring to Fig. 13, the barrel or chamber 34 is shown as lhaving six(6) holes tti, however, it will be understood that more or less may beprovided. As illustrated herein, the barrel 34 contemplates the advancefilling or storing of four (4) of such holes 35 whereby a pre-storedamount of predetermined lengths of wire are made ready for feeding intothe shaping apparatus. It will be understood that upon the barrel itbeing rotatively advanced to register an empty hole 35 with the wirefeed hole t ll, that the wire supply will be fed forward by the feedwheels it and be caused to abut the end face of the journal mounting itin said hole, whereupon in the next partial revolution imparted to saidbarrel, the wire length just inserted will be severed by the cutters tiand at and so on in like sequence.

The feed wheels t5 may be caused to operate continuously orintermittently in timed relation to the rotative movement of the barrelit.

The welding gripping jaws, setting and tripping mechanisms therefor andtransformers for supplying the welding current is best illustrated inFigs, 1, 3, 6 and 7 and since the jaws,setting 30- and trippingmechanisms are provided in duplicate, the description of one will sumcefor the other.

n the interior face of the upright member it are secured bracket members55 preferably insulated therefrom by a non-conductor lid and havingpivotally mounted at one end thereof coacting welding gripping jaws bl,the forward. ends thereof being disposed through the lower portion ofthe opening Min said member it and located between the shaping elementsor formers 22, 2t and it, see Fig. 9. Wire gripping dies ht are suitablysecured on the inner forward ends of said jaws and are provided withsuitable grooves or recesses W to securelyclamp the wires adapted to bereceived therein and prevent slippage thereof. The jaws bl receivethe-welding current from flexible laminated .buss wires tt which haveconnection to a transformer ti shown located on the table 3, the lead inwires thereto designated 62 which may be connected to any suitablesource of electrical supply, not shown.

The inner ends of the gripping jaws 51! are pivot-' ally connected atttto a multiple connection comprising a link at and diverging arm tconnected thereto, the end of which is supplied with an abutting shockface 66 for contacting the end of the adjustable set screw tl locatedwithin a bracket member tt connected to said upright member it; The linkt t is pivotally connected at 69 to another short link it which ispivotally connected at H to an extended portion of the bracket member55. Referring to Fig. 8, a rod 112 is shown bifurcated at it andpivotally connected at 63 together with the gripping jaw 5i and link 64and is caused to have a sliding fit connection through the extendedportion of the bracket member 55 at 14. Between the opening 14 of themember 55 and the outer end of the rod 12 is provided a coiled spring 15encircling said rod and by means of adjusting nuts 16 on said free endof the-rod, the coiled spring may be compressed to provide any suitabletension needed depending upon the operating requirements. The divergingarms 65 have pivotally connected thereto at 11 arms 18 which are adapt-.arms 19 fixedly secured to the bed frame i at 80, said arms 19 beingreinforced by the supporting standards. The free ends of the arms 18 arethreaded to receive adjusting nuts 82 whereby to adjust their contactingthe bracket arms lil'and cause the tripping of the arms 65 to close thegripping jaws 51 into the position is adapted to engage the operativeportion or button be of a relay switch 86 shown connected to the forwardend of the bed-frame i. source of electrical current for the relayswitch is not'shown, however,'it will be understood that when saidswitch is actuated by contact from the arm M that the transformer tiwill be energized for a limited period of time to furnish the dies 58 ofthe jaws 51 with welding current.

In the operation of the tripping and setting mechanisms for the weldingjaws, it will appear .obvious that upon the table t being moved from thefull line position to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 1, that theadjusting nuts 82 will be caused to abut the stationary bracket arms it.thereby pulling the diverging arms th from the position shown in Fig. 6to that illustrated in Fig. '7 which breaks, so to speak the straightline connection of the links M and it and allows the coiled springs itto urge the rods it inwardly causing the jaws hi to pivot and bringingthe dies 58 into clamping or closed position, as shown in Fig. '7. Thereleased rearward movement of the arms 6% is checked by the set screwsbl. It is preferred that at the moment of releasing the opened grippingjaws 5'11 to closed position that the actuating arm M will likewise becaused to operate the button at of the relay switch and thereby causethe transformer iii to deliver'for only a very short period a weldingcurrent to the dies be of the jaws 5i. Upon the return movement of thetable 3 from the dotted line position to the full line position shown inFig. 1, it will be further understood that the adjusting nuts 83 will becaused to abut the stationary bracket .arms l9, thereby forcing thediverging arms 65 The.

backwardly from the position shown in Fig. 7

to that shown in Fig. 6, whereby the links (it and it are reset andcausing the rods I2 to advance inwardly toward each other compressingthe coiled springs l5 and separating the gripping jaws 51! into openposition, as shown in Fig. 6.

treme forward acting surfaces of the longer formers l5, 2i and I5 willengage the lower exposed wire length, see Fig. 13, and cause the same tobe ejected through the slotted opening it and deposited upon the uppersurface of the mandrel 32. Due to the cam-like acting surfaces 75 ed totravel through and be supported by bracket ll of the U-shaped formersl5, IS the continued forward movement thereof deflects or diverts the inFigs. 1 and a, whereupon the finished shape free ends'of the wire lengthtransversely of said or garment hanger is automatically released andformers downwardly around the mandrel in the fashion illustrated inFigs. 16 and 1"]. The function of the single former 21 is similar inaction and snugly maintains the upper portion of the wire length infitting engagement with the outline or curvature of said portion of themandrel. The step illustrated in Fig. 16 represents the extent andcompletion of the work performed by the formers i5, 21 and I5. In thecontinued forward movement of the former elements, the formers l8 and 20are brought into play, see Figs.

19 and 20, which cause the free end portions of the wire length to befurther likewise deflected and be caused to snugly fit the sides of saidmandrel 22 whereby to form the side arms of said garment hanger. Thestep illustrated in Fig. 19 represents the extent and completion of thework performed by the formers l8 and 20. In the continued forwardmovement of said elements, the arcuate surfaces of said formers 22, 22are brought into play, see Figs. 21 and 22, which further deflects theend portions of the wire length towards the base of said mandrel 32 andmakes ready one end portion of said wire length to be formed into a hookby the hook forming element or former 24; the continued forward movementof said formers 22, 22, see Fig. 24, simultaneously forming thejuxtaposed upstanding neck portions of the hanger, as shown in Fig. 23,and also forming the hook of the garment hanger by means of thefollowing short single former 24 by the cam-like acting surfaces 26thereof. Preferably during the hook forming step, the dies 58*of thegripping laws 51' are closed in the mannerpreviously described while theformers 22, 22 are clamping the meeting portions of the wire length toform the neck of the hanger whereupon a'welding current is establishedto weld the neck D, see Fig. 4. At this point the series of formers havereached their forward point of forward travel upon the bedframe I andsuch position is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3-in dotted lines. The wirelength has been transformed into a predetermined and fin-.

ished wire shape, namely, a garment hanger.

In the return travel of the table 3, upright member l2 and associatedshaping elements or formers from the dotted line position shown in Figsl1 and 3 to the full line position shown therein, the finished wire shape'or garment hanger is removed from association with the mandrel 32 aboutwhich it was formed by reason of the clamping jaws and dies 51 and 58se-' curely clamping the neck portion, the upper looped ends of thehanger being slidably supported on extension rods 81 extendingrearwardly of the apparatus from opposite sides of the mandrel l2, seeFigs. 1, 3, 9 and 10, upon which} the finished shapes or garment hangersare delivered when released from the clamping jaws when opened.

There is an additional advantage in carrying the finished shape orgarment hanger with the return movement of the former carrier in thatclamped by the clamping jaws, thereby serving to manufacture acompletely welded and strong structure. Upon the clamping jaws beingopened in the manner previously described, the former carrier hasassumed its most rearward point of travel and this position isrepresented in full lines suspended on the extension arms 81' and thenpushed manually backwards thereon for the creation of a supply thereofand then manually slid off on the inclined portion-of said arms whendesired for use.

to assume final predetermined assemblance and.

finally securing certain meeting portions thereof to hold the same infinished form.

2. The method of transforming a length of wire into a predetermined andfinished wire shape which consists in initially positioning said lengthin association with a support, thence subiecting said length to theaction of an element comprising a former adapted upon the axial meetingthereof with said support to cause said former to divert said length ofwire transversely of said former whereby said length is fashioned toassume final predetermined assemblance and finally welding certainmeetingportions thereof to hold the same in finished form 3. The methodof transforming a length of wire into a predetermined and finished wireshape which consists in initially positioning said length in associationwith a support, thence subjecting said length to the action of anelement comprising-a former adapted upon the axial meeting thereof withsaid support to cause said former to divert said length of wiretransversely of said former whereby said length is fashioned to assumefinal predetermined assemblance, thence securing certain meetingportions thereof to hold the same in finished form and finallydischarging the finished shape from said support.

.4. The method of transforming a length of wire into a predetermined andfinished wire shape which consists in initially positioning said lengthin association with a support, thence subjecting said length'to theaction of an element comprising a formeradapted upon the axial meetingthereof with said s pp rt to cause said former to divert said length ofwire transversely of said former whereby said length is fashioned toassume final predetermined assemblance, thence welding certain meetingportions thereof to hold the same in finished form and finallydischarging the finished shape from said support.

5. The method of transforming a length of wire into a predetermined andfinished wire shape which consists in initially positioning said lengthin association with a support, thence subjecting said length to theaction of a movable element comprising a former adapted upon movementaxially toward said support to divert said length transversely to thepath of travel of said former whereby said length is fashioned to assumefinal predetermined assemblance and finally securing certain meetingportions thereof to hold the same in finished form.

6. The method of transforming a length of wire into' a predetermined andfinished wire shape which consists in initially positioning said lengthin association with a support, thence subjecting said length to theaction of a movable element adverse comprising. a former adapted uponmovement axially toward said support to divert said length transverselyto the path of travel of said former whereby said length is fashioned toassume final into a predetermined and finished wire shape which consistsin initially positioning said length in association with a support,thence subjecting said length to the action of a movable elementcomprising a former adapted upon movement axially toward said support todivert said length transversely to the path of travel of said formerwhe'eby said length is fashioned to assume final predeterminedassemblance, thence securing certain meeting portions thereof to holdthesame in finished form and finally, discharging the finished shape fromsaid support upon movement of said former away from said support.

8. The method of transforming a length of wire into a predetermined andfinished wire shape which consists in initially positioning said lengthin association with a support, thence subjecting said length to theaction of a movable element comprising a former adapted upon movementaxially toward said support to divert said length transversely to thepath of travel of said former whereby said length is fashioned to assumefinal predetermined assemblance, thence welding certain meeting portionsthereof to hold the same in finished form and finally discharging thefinished shape from said support upon movement of said former away fromsaid support.

9. The method of transforming a length .of wire into a predetermined andfinished wire shape which consists in initially positioning said lengthin association with a mandrel, thence subjecting said length to theaction of a movable element comprising -a former adapted upon movementaxially toward said mandrel to divert said length transverselylto thepath of travel of said former whereby said length is fashioned to assumefinal predetermined assemblance and finally welding certain meetingportions thereof to hold the same in finished form during movement ofsaid former away from said mandrel.

'10. The method of transforming a length of wire into a predeterminedand finished wire shape which consists in initially positioning saidlength in association with a mandrel, thence subjecting said length tothe action of amovable element comprising a former adapted upon movementaxially toward saidmandrel to divert said length transversely to thepath of travel of said former whereby said length is fashioned to assumefinal predetermined assemblance, thence welding certain meeting portionsthereof to hold the same in finished form during movement of said formeraway from said mandrel and finally discharging the finished shape fromsaid movable element.

11. .The'method of transforming a length of wire" into a predeterminedand finished wire shape yrwhichconsists in initially positioning saidlength iniassociation with a support at right angle to a movable elementadapted for axial movement toward" and away from said support, thencemovsupport whereby during said movement said eleing forward said elementtoward said length and thereof to hold the same in finished formconcluding the forward movement of said element.

12. The method of transforming a length of wire into a predetermined andfinished wire shape which consists in initially positioning said lengthin association with a support at right angleto a movable element adaptedfor axial movement toward and away from said support, thence movingforward said element toward said length and support whereby during saidmovement said element is caused to divert said length transversely tothe path of. travel of said element and fashion said length into finalpredetermined assemblance, thence reversing the travel of said elementwhereby said fashioned length is detached from said support, and finallywelding certain meeting portions thereof to hold the same in finishedform during said reverse travel of said element.

13. The method of transforming a length of wire into a predetermined andfinished wireshape which consists in initially positioning said lengthin association with a support at right angle to a movable elementadapted for axial movement toward and away from said support, thencemoving forward said element toward said length and supportwhereby'during' said movement said ele-' ment is caused to divert saidlength transversely to the path of travel of said element and fashionsaid length into final predetermined assemblance, thence reversing thetravel of said element whereby said fashioned length is detached fromsaid support by said element, thence welding certain meeting portionsthereof during said reverse travel of said element to hold saidfashioned length in finished form, and finally discharging the finishedshape from said element. I

14. The method of transforming a length of wire into a predetermined andfinished wire shape which consists in initially positioning said lengthin association with a support, thence subjecting said length to theaction of a movable element independent of said support comprising aseries of formers adapted upon movement axially toward said support bysaid element to divert portions of said length transversely to the pathof travel of said formers whereby said lengthis fashioned to assumefinal predetermined assemblance and finally securing certain meetingportions thereof to hold the same in finished form.

15. The method of transforming a length of wire into a predetermined andfinished wire shape which consists in initially positioning said lengthin association with a mandrel, thence subjecting said length to theaction of .areciprocally acting element independent of said supportcomprising a series of fixed formers adapted upon movement axiallytoward said mandrel by said element to divert portions of said lengthtransversely to the path of travel-of said formers whereby said lengthis fashioned to assume final predetermined as-' semblance and finallywelding certain meeting portions thereof to hold the same in finishedform.

16. The method of transforming a length of wire into a predetermined andfinished wire shape which consists in initially positioning said lengthin association' with an apertured support, thence subjecting said lengthto the action of a movable element independent of said support adaptedfor movement axially toward and away therefrom, comprising a set ofdeflecting formers adapted upon movement of said element toward saidsupport to contact and deflect said length therefrom, whereupon in thecontinued forward movement of said element said formers pass throughsaid support and thereby define and maintain said length of wire infinal predetermined assemblance, andfinally securing certain meetingportions thereof to hold the same in finished form.

17. The method of transforming a length of wire into a predetermined andfinished wire shape which consists in initially positioning said lengthin association with an apertured support, thence 10 subjecting saidlength to the action of a movable element independent of said supportadapted for movement axially toward and away therefrom, comprising a setof deflectingformers adapted upon movement of said element toward saidsup- 5 port to contact and defiect said length therefrom, whereupon inthe continued forward movement of said element said formers passsuccessively through said support and thereby successively define andmaintain said length of wire in final predetermined assemblance, thencewelding certain meeting portions thereof to hold the same in finishedform, and finally discharging the finished shape from said support uponretraction of said movable element therefrom.

18. The method of transforming a length of wire into a predetermined andfinished wire shape which consists in initially positioning said lengthin association with a support, thence subjecting said length to theaction of a movable element independent of said support comprising aseries of formers adapted upon movement axially toward said support bysaid element to be caused to successively contact and defiect saidlength therefrom and thereby fashion and maintain the same about saidsupport whereby to assume said length of wire in 'final predeterminedassemblance, and finally securing certain meeting portions thereof tohold the same in finished form.

19. The method of transforming a length of wire into a predetermined andfinished wire shape which consists in initially positioning said'lengthin association with a mandrel, thence subjecting said length to theaction of a reciprocally act- 45 ing element independent of said mandrelcomprising a series of fixed formers adapted upon movement axiallytoward said mandrel by said element to be caused to successively contactand deflect said length therefrom and thereby fash- 50 ion and maintainthe same about said mandrel whereby to-assume said length of wire infinal predetermined assemblance, and finally securing certain meetingportions thereof to hold the same in finished form.. v

55 20. The method of transforming a length of wire into a predeterminedand finished wire shape which consists in initially positioning saidlength in association with a support, thence subjecting said length tothe action of a movable element independent of said support comprising aplurality of formers, certain of which are initially functional withrespect to said length, other of which are intermediately functional andthe I remainder of which are lastly functional, each 65 adapted uponmovement axially toward said support by said element to respectively andsuccessively contact and deflect said length therefrom and therebycollectively fashion and maintain the same about said support whereby toassume 70 said length of wire in final predetermined assemblance, andfinally'securing certain meeting portions thereof to retain the same infinished form.

21. The method of transforming a length of 75 wire into a predeterminedand finished wire shape which consists in initially positioning saidlength in association with a mandrel, thence subjecting said length tothe action of a reciprocally acting element independent of said mandrelcomprising a plurality of formers. certain of which are initiallyfunctional with respect to said length, other of which areintermediately functional and the remainder of which are lastlyfunctional,

each adapted upon movement axially toward said' mandrel by said elementto respectively and successively contact and deflect said lengththerefrom and thereby collectively fashion and maintain the same aboutsaid mandrel whereby to assume said length of wire in finalpredetermined assemblance, and finally welding certain meeting portionsthereof to retain the same in finished form. I

22. An apparatus of the class described comprising a wire lengthsupport, means for positicning a wire length in association with saidsupport, forming means, means for causing said forming means and supportto meet axially whereby said length is diverted transversely of saidforming means and fashioned about said support to cause certain portionsof said length to meet and means for securing said meeting portionswhereby said length is fashioned in finished form.

23. An apparatus of the class described comprising a wire lengthsupport, means for positicning a wire length in association with saidsupport, forming means, means for causing 's'aid forming means andsupport to meet axially' whereby said length is diverted transversely ofsaid forming means and fashioned about said support to cause certainportions of said length to meet, means for securing said meetingportions whereby said length is fashioned in finished form and means fordischarging the finished form from said support.

24. An apparatus of the class described comprising a wire lengthsupport, means for positioning a wire length in association with saidsupport, forming means, means for moving said forming means axiallytoward said support whereby during said movement said length is causedto be deflected transversely to the path of travel of said forming meansand thereby shaped about said support, and welding means operative atthe terminus of said forward movement of said forming means to weldcertain portions of the shaped length.

25. An apparatus of the class described comprising a wire lengthsupport, means for posi- 26. An apparatus of the class describedcomprising a support, a mandrel on said support, a series of aperturesin said support disposed about said mandrel, a movable elementcomprising a series of formers adapted for registration with said seriesof apertures and means for moving said element toward said supportwhereby said series of formers in said forward movement mocessively passthrough said apertures and embrace said mandrel.

27. An apparatus of the class described comprising a support, a mandrelon said support, a series of apertures in said support disposed aboutsaid mandrel, a movable element comprising a series of graduated formersadapted for successive registration with said series of apertures andmeans for moving said element toward said supa toward said supportwhereby said series of formers in said forward movement successivelypass through said apertures and collectively embrace said mandrel andmeans for reversing the movement of said element whereby to dissociatesaid formers from said mandrel.

29. An apparatus of the class described comprising a support, a mandrelon said support, a series of apertures in said support disposed aboutsaid mandrel, a movable element comprising a series of graduated formersadapted for successive registration with said series of apertures, meansfor moving said element toward said support whereby said series offormers in said forward movement successively pass through saidapertures and collectively embrace said mandrel, welding meansassociated with said element and means for actuating said welding meansupon said formers collectively embracing said mandrel.

30. An apparatus of the class'described comprising a support, a mandrelon said support, a. series of apertures in said support disposed aboutsaid mandrel, a movable element comprising a series of graduated formersadapted for successive registration with said series of apertures, meansfor moving said element toward said support whereby said series offormers in said forward movement successively pass through saidapertures and collectively embrace said mandrel, welding meansassociated with said element. means for actuating said welding meansupon said formers collectively embracing said mandrel and means forreversing the movement of said element whereby to dissociate'saidformers from said mandrel.

31. An apparatus of the class described comprising a support, a mandrelon said support, a a

series of apertures in said support disposed about said mandrel, a wirelength supply in association with said support, a movable elementcomprising a series'of deflecting formers adapted for registration withsaid series of apertures, and means for moving said element toward saidsupport whereby a wire length from said supply is disposed inassociation with said mandrel and in the path of forward travel of saidformers and thereby deflected transversely of the travel of said formersin shaped relation about said mandrel.

32. An apparatus of the class described comprising a support, a. mandrelon said support, a 70 series of apertures in said support disposed aboutsaid mandrel, a wire length supply in association with said support, amovable element comprising a series of deflecting formers adapted forregistration with said series of apertures, means 75 for moving saidelement toward said support whereby a .wire length from said supply isdisposed in association with said mandrel and in the path of forwardtravel of said formers and thereby deflected transversely of the travelof said formers in shaped relation about said mandrel and meansoperative at the terminus of the forward travel of said formers tosecure the shaped length-in finished form.

33. An apparatus of the classdescribed comprising a support. a mandrelon said support, a series of apertures in said support disposed aboutsaid mandrel, a wire length supply in association with said support, amovable element comprising a series of deflecting formers adapted forregistration with said series of apertures, means for moving saidelement toward said support wherev by a wire length from said supply isdisposed in association with said mandrel and in the path of forwardtravel of said formers and thereby deflected transversely of the travelof said formers in shaped relation about said mandrel, means operativeat the terminus of the forward travel of said formers to secure theshaped length in finished form and means for discharging the shapedfinished form-from said mandrel.

34. An apparatus of the class described comprising a support, a mandrelon said support, a series of apertures in said support disposed aboutsaid mandrel, a wire length supply in association with said support, amovable element comprising a series of deflecting formers adaptedforregistration with said series of apertures, means for moving saidelement toward said support whereby a wire length from said supply isdisposed in association with said mandrel and in the path I of forwardtravel of-said formers and thereby deflected transversely of the travelof said formers in shaped relation about said mandrel, means operativeat the terminus of the forward travel of said formers to secure theshaped length in finishedform and means for reversing the travel of saidelement whereby to dissociate said formers and shaped finished form fromsaid mandrel.

- 35. The method of making wire garment hangers which consists ininitially positioning a predetermined length of wire in association witha support, thence subjecting said length to the action of an elementcomprising a former adapted upon the axial meeting thereof with saidsupport to cause said former to divert said length of wire transverselyof said former into garment hanger formation comprising a formed bodyportion, a hook, and meeting portions of said formed wire lengthcontiguously disposed between said body portion and said hook, andfinally securing' said meeting portions to maintain the shaped hanger infinished form.

36. The method of making wire garment hangers which consists ininitially positioning a predetermined length of wire in association witha. support, thence subjecting said length to the action of an elementcomprising a former adapted upon the axial meeting thereof with saidsupport to cause said former to divert said length of wire transverselyof said former into garment hanger formation comprising a formed bodyportion, a hook, and meeting portions of said formed wire lengthcontiguously disposed be-' tween said body portion and said hook, andfinally welding said meeting portions to maintainthe shaped hanger infinished form.

37. The method of making wire garment hangers which consists ininitially positioning a predetermined length of wire in association witha support, thence subjecting said length to the action of an elementcomprising a former adapted upon the axial meeting thereof with saidsupport to cause said former to divert said length of wire transverselyof said former into garment hanger formation comprising a formed bodyportion, a hook, and meeting portions of said formed wire lengthcontiguously disposed between said body portion and said hook, thencewelding said 10 meeting portions to maintain the shaped hanger infinished form and finally discharging the finished hanger from saidsupport.

38. The method of making wire garment hangers which consists ininitially positioning a predetermined length of wire in association witha mandrel, thence subjecting said length to the action of a movableelement comprising a former adapted upon movement axially towards saidmandrel to divert said' length of wire transversely to the path oftravel of said former whereby said length is fashioned into garmenthangerformation comprising a formed body portion, a hook,

and meeting portions of said formed wire lengthupon movement axiallytoward said support by 35 said element to divert portions of said lengthof wire transversely to the path of travel of said formers whereby saidlength is fashioned into garment hanger formation comprising aformedbody portion, a hook, and meeting portions of 40 said formed wirelength contiguously disposed between said body portion and said hook,and finally welding said meeting portions to maintain the shaped hangerin finished form.

40. The method of making wire'garment hangers which consists ininitially positioning a predetermined length of wire in association withan apertured support, thence subjecting said length .to the action of amovable element independent of said support adapted for movement axiallytoward a and away therefrom, comprising a set of deflecting formersadapted upon movement of said element toward said support to contactand-deflect said length therefrom, whereupon in the continued forwardmovement of said element said formers pass through said support andthereby define and maintain said length of wire in garment hangerformation consisting of a formed body portion, a hook, and meetingportions of said formed wire length contiguously disposed between saidbody portion and said hook, and finally welding said meeting portions tomaintain the shaped hanger in finished form.

41. The method of making wire garment hang-' port whereby to assume saidlength of wire intov garment hanger formation comprising a formed bodyportion, a hook, and meeting portions of said formed wire lengthcontiguously disposed between said body portion and said hook, andfinally welding said meeting portions to maintain the shaped hanger infinished form.

DURWARD'K. HOPKINS.

